The Music of the Spheres

William Herschel came to England from Hanover in 1757 as a professional musician, and composed several symphonies and concertos. However, in 1770s he and his sister Caroline began to take an interest in telescopes and astronomy. In 1781, William discovered Uranus, and later infrared radiation. Brother and sister were subsequently employed by George III as astronomers, and William was knighted.

58 words

Read the whole story

Return to the Index

Tags

Discovery and Invention (93) William Herschel (2) Astronomers (8) Science and Scientists (22) Georgian Era (166) British History (377) History (777)

Related Posts

for The Music of the Spheres

Discovery and Invention

The Vast Depths of Infinity

Thomas Wright offers his readers a way of thinking about the enormous distances involved in any description of the solar system.

by Thomas Wright 1711-1786

Discovery and Invention

Sunspots and Wheat Prices

William Herschel showed that variations in the brightness of the sun were causing climate change, but hardly anyone believed him.

by James Sime 1843-1895

Discovery and Invention

The Star that Winked

John Goodricke’s observations of Algol won him the Copley Medal while still in his teens, despite his disability.

Discovery and Invention

Edmond Halley

Edmond Halley will forever be associated with the comet named after him, but his greatest achievement was getting Sir Isaac Newton to publish ‘Principia Mathematica’.